Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-11-19
The Hammersmith Mystery.


but at the age of fifty-five he encoun
tered a succession of misfortunes which
ultimately landed him in the Bank
ruptcy Court. When that crisis wa,
past he went to live in a small hous,
at Hammersmith with his wife, hi
younger son, Ephraim, and one ser
want. Not long after his wife died
and this last blow reduced the ole
man to complete wreck. He became
childish, and lost his memory so com
pletely that he had no recollection o.
ordinary events from day to day,
which was. perhaps, a merciful dis,
peusation OF Providence after all.
Ephraim Stuckey was now the mas.
ter OF the house, though the house it.
self belonged to the father, having
been purchased with some money oil
Mrs. Stnckey's. Ephraim vas a
stock-broker in small way of bust
ness. which might have been larger II
Ephraim himself had been fonder OF
work, and had combined little more
greediness for the commissions OF
clients with a little less faith in grand
speculative coups on his own account.
He was addicted to grumbling at the
hardships of his lot. and more particu-
larry at the burden OF keeping he
old man" as he called his father.
This, however, was as unreasonable
as it was undutifnl. for not only was
Ephraim living rent-free in his fathers
house, but old Mr.. Stuckey's mainte-
nance was fully provided for by the
elders Alfred. Alfred, in his fathers
palmy days, had been put into the
Church. He was now curate in a
Midland County parish on princely
stipend OF 1900 year, out OF which
he contributed ESQ a year to his fa-
theirs support quite enough to leave
a margin of profit for Ephriam. If
any one, therefore, had reason to
grumble at the prolongation OF theta
theirs life it was Alfred. 1t must be
mentioned. however, that there was
one small expectation for both the
sons upon their fathers death. Mar
tin Stuckev showed no immediate like.
lihood OF enabling his sons to realize
this investment. Since the break
down of his mind his bodily health
had much improved, as not unfre-
auently happens in such cases,
and his mental incapacity was
not of q kind to cause
anxiety. There mad been at one time Il
question between the brothers about
him with an attendant,
but Ephraim was opposed to unneces-
sary expense, and pointed out that
the old gentleman never left the house
unless by invitation. and that, while
the control of those about him, in.
cluding even the one maid-servant of
the est ablishment-a trustworthy
young woman, who had been with the
family for some years. The truth was
that the old gentleman was so sub
missiye that, if so ordered, he would
remain in one room Tor hours togeth-
er, and, under these circumstances, it
really seemed that Ephraim and the
maid were quite capable of looking
after him. This idea, however, turned
out to be erroneous.
The Rev. Alfred Stuckey did not
often visit London, but when he did
SO he always endeavored to spend
day with his father. On such occa-
sions he would generally take the old
gentleman ont with him for the day,
to think that lie was too
much confined to the house. One day,
about the middle of October, Ephra.
i'm Stuckey informed the maid-ser-
want that mis- brother was coming |
TO town, and added that, if Alfred |
should take his father out. as he |
did, she had better take a |
days holiday.
In due course the Rev. Alfred arriv- |
ID, and, after spending q night at the
mouse, he said that he would take his
ather by steamboat to Richmond for |
The day. The maid was accordingly
that she could have her
promised holiday. Then, however,
difficulty arose. The girl wished to |
20 some distance, and could not be |
back before eight O'Clock in the even.
ng. Alfred, on the other hand, had |
10 intentions of keeping his father out
ill that hour, and besides this, he
lad to return that night to his par
sh, for which purpose he must leave
st. Pancras Station at about seven
0'clock. Who was to take charge of
bid Mr.. Stuckey in the interval?
II dare say can get home" sad
Ephraim. What time will you re-
surn2"
THAT depends on father" Not In.
.er than five o'clock in any case. As /
rave to be at st. Pancras by seven,
,hink / shall leave here before $50"
II think ] can manage to be back
~ that time" said Ephrain. fand
here is no harm i'll leaving the gov
,rnor for half an hour by himself. II ]
I'm not here when you return put him
nto that armchair, give HIM his pipe.
ind tell him in your most impressive
roice that he is not to stir upon any
Iccount until / come in"
Are you sure that he will be all
ight?' Ii
Perfectly. He would not move il {
he house we're on fire. (
Withthis understanding the parties Z
sparated. c
Il was between $50 and p. m. on t